KURT BUSCH STARTING FOURTH IN COKE ZERO 400 AT DAYTONA
-Miller Lite Dodge Driver Enjoys Another Top “Pit Pick” After Qualifying Rained Out-

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 3, 2009) – Kurt Busch will start his Miller Lite Dodge from the fourth starting spot in Saturday night’s Coke Zero 400 after qualifying got rained out for the second consecutive weekend on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tour.

            “I told the guys that I thought we were really sporty at the end of practice last night,” said Busch, still looking for his first restrictor-plate race win during his illustrious career.  “Of course, that was in race trim and really had nothing to do with today’s qualifying.

            “So we’re looking at it as a big bonus – getting to start fourth and having a great pit selection,” the 2004 series champ said.  “Where would we have started if we’d gotten qualifying in?  Man, I don’t know, but I can just about guarantee you that it’d been nowhere near fourth.  It’s the same story here in that we usually start in the back and finish in the front.  But this time around, the weather helped us and we get to start up front.  Now, the big goal is to try to stay there all race long.

            “Like I said, we have a pretty sporty Miller Lite Dodge and I really like our chances here tomorrow (Saturday) night,” Busch said.

            With the field set by the NASCAR rule book, #14-Tony Stewart starts first, followed by #24-Jeff Gordon, #48-Jimmie Johnson, #2-Kurt Busch, #99-Carl Edwards, #39-Ryan Newman, #11-Denny Hamlin, #16-Greg Biffle, #18-Kyle Busch and #17-Matt Kenseth rounding out the top-10 starters.

            Busch’s Penske Racing teammates Sam Hornish Jr. and David Stremme will start 25th and 32nd, respectively, in Saturday’s 400-mile battle.

Saturday’s Coke Zero 400 (160 Laps, 400 Miles) is scheduled to get the green flag at approximately 8:00 p.m. EDT.  Race No. 18 of 36 points-paying events on the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule will feature live coverage by TNT-TV and MRN Radio.

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Kurt Busch on Sirius Radio’s “The Morning Drive” on 7/2/09:

https://rcpt.yousendit.com/708577566/4c4dcf1e04484096f571ee540abd8178

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Kurt Busch 7/2/09 Press Conference Transcript (Courtesy Dodge Motorsports):

WHAT’S THE OUTLOOK FOR THIS WEEKEND?  “We’re genuinely optimistic based on some of our engine dyno results and the way that the chassis dyno has produced some good power numbers.  So at Penske, we think that we’ve done an excellent job continuing to build good power and advancing the program.  What is unique is that we won’t be using the R6 engine this weekend.  We’ll be using the old Dodge engine, the R5.  We still feel like our restrictor-plate racing program needs more time to develop with the R6.  I don’t know if we’ll debut the R6 restrictor-plate engine at Talladega in the fall.  We’ll hopefully be in the Chase standings, but right now we’ve got the R5 and it has produced much more power than when we ran at Talladega in April.  For us, it looks much better already before we can even hit the race track.  Of course, the aerodynamic improvements and the team working behind the scenes that gives me a good car for the restrictor-plate race.  You always have to work behind the scenes and when you get to the track, it’s basically all you’ve got.  So we’ll see where we shake out in this afternoon’s practice.”

DID YOU GET A SENSE OF HOW GOOD YOUR CAR WAS IN THE RAIN-SHORTNED DAYTONA 500?  “I feel like we had plenty of time at the rain-shortened Daytona 500 to figure out where our car was and where we ranked against some of the other guys.  We just got caught up in the Dale Jr. wreck on the back straightaway and so we were without a rear bumper and without a rear TV panel.  I really didn’t have people who wanted to draft with us just based on the insecurity of the car.  But we were able to find holes and work our way back up and finish 10th when the rains came in.  The race was OK for us; it wasn’t as stellar of a year as it was the year before when Ryan Newman and myself finished first and second.  And then we went to Talladega in April and I felt that we were behind the curve, but to see the improvements and the things that we’ve done behind the scenes heading into this July race, I’ve very optimistic heading into this weekend.”

HOW DO YOU THINK DOUBLE-FILE RESTARTS WILL CHANGE THE RACE? “I think the leader is really going to dictate how he can use the re-start to his advantage.  Let’s just say that I’m leading and I have David Stremme in third (place), I’m going to change to the inside lane because I know that the third-place guy will have the inside lane.  If I’ve got Sam Hornish Jr. running fourth, then I have that option to start the race on the outside of the front row.  There’s going to be that forecast.  Who’s going to be able to pass who on restarts?  It’s going to make it more exciting, that much more unpredictable.  That’s what Daytona is…in the back of my mind…who can predict the unpredictable and that’s why sometimes you see surprise winners in victory lane.  That’s what makes this race such a unique race to watch, race in, and be a part in.”

IS THERE A PARTUCILAR GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT YOU THINK SHOULD BE IN THE FIRST HALL OF FAME LIST?  “What I hope that they do over the years is find these marquee individuals that deserve to be in the (NASCAR) Hall of Fame and put them in at a spaced enough rate.  They don’t need to throw all of them in all at once because it would be such a grand celebration and every year after that, it wouldn’t lead up to being the same celebration.  But who do you choose to put in first that is a retired driver or deceased driver.  Who do you classify as what they’ve done for this sport other than the numbers that they’ve compiled or what they’ve done behind the scenes.  There are plenty of owners, crew chiefs… drivers will of course have the main marquee value when you have an induction class.  I just hope that they spread it out over time.” 

Obviously we’re going to have a Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr. in our first class, but there are greats and legends like a Darrell Waltrip and (Cale) Yarborough, we’ve got a current guy that’s out there that is a three-time-defending champion (Jimmie Johnson).  When do you put him in, the day after he retires?  I just hope that they spread it out and makes Charlotte and coming to downtown Charlotte and looking at the NASCAR heritage the right way instead of throwing us all in at once.”

WERE YOU BLOWN AWAY THAT JOEY LOGANO BEAT YOUR BROTHER’S RECORD OF BEING THE YOUNGEST CUP SERIES WINNER?  “It was tough to see that record go.  I thought that the Busch Brothers put that effort in together with me opening up some of the doors for him and giving him a ride at an early age.  He got a ride at the top level so early that (NASCAR) made a rule that said you had to be 18 year-old to compete at the top levels.  It was tough.  The Busch Brothers had that, now (Joey) Logano does.  Records are meant to be broken.  Does he (Logano) have a good shot at winning this weekend?  I know when I was a rookie that I didn’t have a good shot at winning at restrictor-plate races because that yellow, back bumper stands out pretty large and drivers always find some way to get around ‘em.”

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KURT BUSCH AIMING FOR FIRST CAREER “PLATE-RACE” WIN IN DAYTONA
-Miller Lite Dodge Driver’s “Zero-for-34” Record On Biggest Tracks Could Be “Sports Biggest Mystery”-

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 30, 2009) – Perhaps one can claim that these are the top-10 modern-day mysteries:  1) What happened to the Carroll A. Deering?  2) Who was D.B. Cooper?  3) Is the Riemann hypothesis true?  4) Who killed the Black Dahlia?  5) Where is Jimmy Hoffa’s body?  6) What causes the Taos Hum?  7) Who was the Zodiac Killer?  8) What is “dark energy” and is it pulling the universe apart?  9) What really happened at Area 51?  10) Was the JFK assassination a conspiracy?

            Along the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing tour, it would certainly be appropriate to add this:  11) Why has Kurt Busch yet to win a restrictor-plate race?

            “The fact that Kurt is still looking for the first plate-race win of his career would have to rate as our sport’s biggest mystery, that’s for sure,” said Miller Lite Dodge crew chief Pat Tryson.  “I’ve always thought of Kurt as one of the top-five best ‘plate racers’ out there and I think if you polled all the guys in the garage these days, the big majority of the folks would agree to that.

            “Kurt has been so close to winning and it’s quite incredible that he’s gone this long without taking a checkered flag at one of those races,” Tryson continued.  “Really, just look at his record.  How many runner-up finishes does he have?  How many top-fives and top-10s?  They always say that the law of averages has to sooner or later work in a guy’s favor.  When you look at Kurt’s career record in those races, it certainly leaves you scratching your head.  It’s really mind-boggling.

Story

KURT BUSCH FINISHES THIRD IN LENOX “301” AT NEW HAMPSHIRE
-Miller Lite Dodge Driver Strong & Consistent In Rain-Shortened Battle On The “Magic Mile”-

LOUDON, N.H. (June 28, 2009) – Miller Lite Dodge driver Kurt Busch finished a strong third in today’s rain-shortened LENOX Industrial Tools 301 here at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.  Busch’s fifth top-five and ninth top-10 finish of the season saw him maintain the fourth spot in the NASCAR Sprint Cup point standings as he distanced himself from fifth and padded his cushion for Chase eligibility.

“It was a solid day for us,” Busch said of today’s performance by the No. 2 Penske Racing Dodge Team.  “We made some good adjustments in the pits.  My biggest downside was restarts, slipping the tires and getting forward bite going through the gears.  I just couldn’t get the car to stay low. 

“With our pit crew, we had some off stops, but then we had some on (good) stops that kept us bouncing around out there.  But when the time came to push really hard, the car was there.  The crew gave me a great stop and we were reeling in what I thought was the leader…the 24…but Pat (Tryson, crew chief) told me that I was in third – that it was the 20 car that was leading and it was as if that it took all the wind out of our sails. 

Story

Kurt announced his latest fund-raiser for the Kurt Busch Foundation last Friday at Richmond International Raceway.  “It was absolutely tremendous the way it was received by the fans and the media and we’ve already sold a ton of tickets,” Kurt said on Monday of the promotion he announced to raffle off a fully-loaded 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8.  “It is limited to the first 5,000 folks who will contribute $100 to the cause.”

The new, silver 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 received a one-of-a-kind paint scheme design by PPG master painter and instructor Paul Stoll and was painted by renowned street rod painter Charley Hutton of Charley Hutton Color Studio. Hutton recently partnered with PPG and is best known for his appearances on the American Hot Rod television show. The paint treatment, a bold combination of blue and Hemi orange, uses PPG’s environmentally-friendly Envirobase® High Performance waterborne coatings. (image of the beautiful car is attached)

David Poole, an Observer reporter who became one of country’s leading authorities on NASCAR, died of a heart attack this afternoon. He was 50. Poole had just returned from last week’s race at Talledega, Ala.

David Poole a Friend to many

( http://www.thatsracin.com/140/story/7989.html)

David (pictured center) was the 2006 Miller Lite Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence in honor of Russ Catlin winner in the print daily category.

 

Talladega 2009 Images

link

 

Photos by TRPR

Hauler duo finds NASCAR's road to marital happiness Bill and Cindy Lewis married truck drivers for No. 2 team
Bill and Cindy Lewis married truck drivers for No. 2 team By Raygan Swan, NASCAR.COM April 17, 2009
Bill "Stump" Lewis knew he had found 'the one' when he met a lovely lady working at a Maryland café who admitted her adoration for 18-wheelers. Not only does Cindy Lewis drive the hauler, she prepares the team's meals at the track. The lifelong truck driver, who at the time was hauling seafood in and out of Boston, took her on a first date more than 21 years ago. It was also her first 'over the road' trip. "She took off work and came with me on my stops. I asked if she wanted to drive. I got her behind the wheel and it was a match made in heaven from that point on," said Lewis who after a short courtship later married Cindy Lewis.   Story on NASCAR.COM
	Not only does Cindy Lewis drive the hauler, she prepares the team's meals at the track.

SPECIAL NOTE TO MEDIA AND RACE FANS ALIKE…Father Dale Grubba’s new all-encompassing book on Alan Kulwicki, the 1992 NASCAR champion, is now available through Badger Books.  Fr. Grubba’s work, entitled “Alan Kulwicki – NASCAR Champion:  Against All Odds” is a must-have for Kulwicki fans and all interested in the history of our sport.  The 518-page classic documents every aspect of Kulwicki’s life and is a definite keepsake.  It contains more than 100 photos and drawings.  For additional information, please visit the publisher’s site at:  http://www.badgerbooks.com/books/Kulw.shtml

Kurt Busch Wins First Race In 2009

ESPN VIDEO

Miller Lite Dodge Crew Chief Pat Tryson On ESPN2's NASCAR Now

ESPN VIDEO

Pat Tryson Named Crew Chief of the Race in Atlanta: Pat Tryson, crew chief for the #2 Miller Lite Dodge driven by Kurt Busch has been named the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race in Sunday's Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. After a dominant day, Tryson made the perfect call on lap 323 of the scheduled 325-lap event when a caution came out, setting up a two-lap dash for victory with a green-white-checkered finish. Summoning his driver to pit road, Tryson instructed his crew to replace all four tires. In addition to the $1,000 check, the winning crew chief will receive signage to announce the win on their pit box the following week. The crew chief with the most weekly wins will be honored as the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Year and will be presented a $20,000 check at the season finale in Homestead

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Congratulations to Miller Lite Dodge crew chief Pat Tryson for winning the “Moog Chassis Parts Problem Solver of the Race Award” in Sunday’s Daytona 500.  “It was a great team effort in being able to get a top-10 finish out of Sunday’s race,” Pat said.  “We got caught up in the big one, but Kurt and all of our Miller Lite Dodge team refused to give up.  We pitted every time we could (under the caution) to make repairs and got it fixed as well as we could without going a lap down.  Kurt put on a helluva’ show out there in coming up from 29th to finish 10th.

“I can’t say enough for the great job Pat and our team did there at Daytona on Sunday,” Kurt said.  “After the race, if you’d checked the car out, you’d have said there’s no way we could have finished up there with the way our Miller Lite Dodge looked.  We came out of Daytona as well as could be expected, considering what happened to us during the race.”

Kurt’s inaugural Sprint for the Kids benefitting the Kurt Busch Foundation, held last Thursday at Pole Position Raceway in Las Vegas, was a huge success.  “We reached our full capacity which was 12 teams of five drivers a piece…$25,000,” Kurt said.  “The money that was raised was fantastic in this type of economy and supporting that type of initiative. The proceeds all go to Victory Junction Gang Camp and we’re looking forward to using this event as a spring board for better things to come here in the Las Vegas area.”

Who won the event?   “I had the teams rigged I think for my Kurt Busch Foundation event,” Kurt joked.  “I was blessed to have a good group of Cup drivers and Nationwide drivers come out. My little brother (Kyle) was there, Denny Hamlin was there. I had a bunch of Penske Racing guys there -- Justin Allgaier and David Stremme and Sam Hornish Jr. We had some last minute entries…Hermie Sadler and Kelly Bires. Each one of them had a contact with the group that they were with. We had great supporters with Sprint. We had great supporters with Kruger Farms, a group out of Minnesota. They’re big Kurt Busch fans. We had quite a few race fans that paid to participate, to race with Cup drivers. I thought it was a win-win. Everybody had a smile on their face. It was quite pleasing. My other objective was to give a couple kids the chance to show their go-karting skills. You may hear their names down the road. One of those is Kyle Johnson… a kid here locally. Another kid named Matt Jascal, who has been racing around here in Vegas for quite some time in stock cars and open-wheel cars, is 23 years-old and looking for a big break.   I’m not out there soliciting for him, I just think the kid is a good driver and he can use a break. All those kids were on my team. We had a good five-lap advantage at the end of an hour race.”